Ngā Wāhi tapu - Sacred Places

Ngā Wāhi Tapu

Sacred Places

Assert and exercise tino rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga over wāhi tapu and other sites of significance in accordance with ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa tikanga and kawa.

Issues [including but not limited to]

Destruction of urupā as a result of development.

The need to ensure protection of hapū and tribal wāhi tapu, whilst keeping their exact nature and location confidential to kaitiaki.

Access by tangata whenua to places of importance is sometimes restricted.

Collection and ownership of taonga by people who are not tangata whenua.

Lack of knowledge on the status or condition of wāhi tapu areas.

Policies/Baselines

Wāhi tapu are only accessible to Ngāti Tūwharetoa and its collective hapū.

Promote and enhance partnerships between ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa, central government, regional and district councils.

Advocate for the protection of the mauri of wāhi tapu by preventing destruction and modification.

Upon an ‘accidental discovery’, works are to stop immediately until such a time that tangata whenua are contacted and appropriate protocol are in place.

Protect the mauri of wāhi tapu in accordance with the tikanga and kawa of ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

To ensure that the matauranga associated with identified sites is confined to kaitiaki and that they are involved in any activity that may impact on these areas.

Hapū have the fundamental right to assert tino rangatiratanga and kaitiaki over their wāhi tapu.

Methods of Implementation/Tools

Resource Consent Based Tools

Promote conditions on consents that provide for the involvement of Ngāti Tūwharetoa in the monitoring and review process of resource consents.

Make submissions on resource consent applications to ensure that the physical and spiritual relationship between tangata whenua and their taonga is recognised, protected and provided for.

Oppose applications that will have an adverse effect on wāhi tapu.

Lobby for experts in Ngāti Tūwharetoa tikanga to be appointed to Hearing Committees on applications for resource consents that may affect ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

When considering applications for subdivision, ensure that Consent notices are registered against the title to advise of the existence of wāhi tapu, and the requirement to consult with the relevant hapū if these areas are to be impacted/developed upon in future.

Other Tools

Utilise funding available [appendix 4] for hapū/iwi based initiatives that seek to promote tangata whenua involvement in the protection, retention and enhancement of wāhi tapu.

Endorse and ensure the implementation of the 2020 Tauponui-ā-Tia Strategy [Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy] by outside parties.

Establish a ‘Tūwharetoa Environmental Resource Management Unit’ that will advocate and advise ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa on environmental issues.

Develop a suite of environmental performance indicators (tohu) by hapū that can be used to monitor the health of wāhi tapu.

Lobby for a Tūwharetoa representative in the monitoring and review process of government polices, regional policy statement, regional and district plans.

Make submissions to government policy, district and regional plans advocating

Develop and promote frameworks that facilitate communication with regional and district councils as well as other owners and users of resources within Tūwharetoa rohe [appendix 6].

Promote and encourage partnerships and better communication between Ngāti Tūwharetoa and statutory authorities on all resource management issues for the protection of wāhi tapu and protocols for accidental discovery.

Advocate and participate in Ngāti Tūwharetoa wānanga initiatives that promote the protection and enhancement of wāhi tapu in accordance with ngā hapū o Ngāti Tūwharetoa tikanga and kawa.

Ensure representation on behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa on the various stakeholder groups that relate to wāhi tapu e.g. Historic Places Trust, New Zealand Archaeological Association, local museums, and archaeologists.

Promote and encourage partnerships and better communication between Ngāti Tūwharetoa and statutory authorities on all resource management issues.

Lobby for the transfer of power and functions in accordance with Section 33 of the RMA 1991 to Ngāti Tūwharetoa as a method of recognising kaitiakitanga and tino rangatiratanga.

Support the establishment of a Ngāti Tūwharetoa Heritage Management Plan 2007, methods of protection (including the protection of sensitive information) and accidental discovery protocol.

Pursue protocols for the collection, retention and dissemination of sensitive knowledge relating to wāhi tapu.

Establish a Ngāti Tūwharetoa Whare Taonga to preserve and protect taonga.

Encourage initiatives that promote wāhi tapu restoration where possible.

Encourage initiatives that promote wāhi tapu recognition.

Identify appropriate kaitiaki and tohunga and establish a contacts database to ensure that they are involved in the process.

Pursue certification of hapū and the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board as collectors of artefacts under Section 14(4) of the Antiquities Act 1975.

Encourage private landowners to protect and enhance wāhi tapu on their property in partnership with the relevant hapū.

Advocate for the formalisation of access to wāhi tapu for tangata whenua.